The Lovers (1970 TV series)

The Lovers is a British television sitcom by Jack Rosenthal, starring Richard Beckinsale and Paula Wilcox as a courting couple, Geoffrey and Beryl. It was made between 1970 and 1971 by Granada Television for the ITV network. A spin-off feature film was released in 1973. The series was also given a repeat run on Channel 4 in 1996.

The Lovers
Opening title card
Genre	Comedy
Created by	Jack Rosenthal
Written by	Jack Rosenthal Geoffrey Lancashire
Directed by	Michael Apted (Series 1) Les Chatfield (Series 2)
Starring	Paula Wilcox Richard Beckinsale Robin Nedwell Joan Scott
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	2
No. of episodes	13
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Production company	Granada Television
Original release
Network	ITV
Release	27 October 1970 (1970-10-27) – 18 November 1971 (1971-11-18)

The show is based on the struggles of the two protagonists as they develop their relationship, particularly in the area of sex (which Beryl calls "Percy filth", Percy being an alternative name for the male member). Beryl is a slightly dizzy character obsessed with marriage, while Geoffrey is instead determined to bed her.

Episodes

The series ran for 13 episodes over two series. Michael Apted directed Series 1, while Les Chatfield directed Series 2.

Series 1 (1970)

• "Sardine Sandwiches" (27 October 1970)
• "The Date" (3 November 1970)
• "Freckle Face" (10 November 1970)
• "Brainwashing" (17 November 1970)
• "A Pipe and a Moustache" (24 November 1970)
• "The Truth Game" (1 December 1970)

Series 2 (1971)

• "The Engagement" (7 October 1971)
• "Breaking It Off" (14 October 1971)
• "Birthday" (21 October 1971)
• "Joint Bank Account" (28 October 1971)
• "The Better Homes Exhibition" (4 November 1971)
• "A Trial Marriage" (11 November 1971)
• "The Best Laid Plans..." (18 November 1971)

Cast

Character	Actor
Geoffrey Scrimshaw	Richard Beckinsale
Beryl Battersby	Paula Wilcox
Mrs Battersby	Joan Scott
Roland Lomax	Robin Nedwell

Film spin-off

Main article: The Lovers! (1973 film)

The series was used as the basis for a feature film. The Lovers! was released in 1973 and featured Beckinsale, Wilcox and Scott, together with Susan Littler, Rosalind Ayres and John Comer (as Geoffrey's father).

See also

• List of films based on British sitcoms

DVD release

The Lovers was released on DVD by Network in 2007 and featured all episodes from the two series runs.

Bibliography

• Evans, Jeff (2001). The Penguin TV Companion. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-051467-8.

External links

• The Lovers at IMDb
• The Lovers at British Comedy Guide
• The Lovers at the BFI's Screenonline